Song of the Day: Golden Void – Virtue

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s selection, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Virtue” by Golden Void from their self-titled debut on Thrill Jockey Records.

Bay Area rockers Golden Void’s entire record hosts a plethora of complex, heavy tunes all rock pretty intelligently. Over the course of their seven tunes, you’ll be hit with some classic, some progressive, but wherever the stylistic inspiration comes from, Golden Void throws down and isn’t very apologetic about it. This group of experienced Bay area musicians has been around the block individually, but together, Golden Void seems to be one of the most fruitful offerings of their years of labor.

“Virtue”, the second track from the record, is a great introduction to the band’s sound and style (it also won’t steal any thunder from the latter half of the record if you decide to pick it up). The tune starts heavy and stays heavy. Piles of guitar layers blast forward on the track with Justin Pinkerton’s dizzying drum lines behind, all setting up for Isaiah Mitchell’s pained, urgent call of a first verse. The dichotomy between music and lyrics is an interesting one – quite unique to Golden Void. The track sounds like the soundtrack to the apocalypse, but Mitchell’s lyrics question what actions make a man good and pure, and what mindset he must possess in order to possess true virtue. It’s a contemplative and trying message soundtracked by some insane instrumental work that can have you headbanging while you ponder (good blood flow to the head, I suppose). All in all, “Virtue” is a killer track with an optimistic message that sets it apart in a sea of distortion.

Grab “Virtue” above and check out the video below. Golden Void is out now on Thrill Jockey. You can find it on CD and vinyl at your local record store.